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The best Android smartwatches you can buy: Expert tested
In my early days of mobile technology, I thought my MSN Direct SPOT watch was the future of wearables. Twenty years later and we now have incredible smartwatches from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google that make the clock the least impressive feature.
While smartwatches today are heavily focused on detailed 24/7 health and wellness tracking, many have other advanced features, like a companion Android app, touchscreen display, call and text messaging support, installable applications, customizable watch faces, and voice assistants.
Also: Best smartwatches of 2024
What is the best Android smartwatch right now?
Our staff at ZDNET have tested every popular Android smartwatch powered by Google's Wear OS on the market, evaluating their battery life, display, durability, and health tracking features. Our pick for the best Android smartwatch overall is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Pro 5 thanks to its sleek design, Here's how the rest stack up against each other and on your wrist.
The best Android smartwatches of 2024
- Simple, sleek design
- Body composition analysis
- Improved, curved sensor for more accurate readings
- Few color options
- Only a few rugged, "Pro" features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro specs: Display: 1.4 inch, 450 x 450 pixels AMOLED | Battery life: Two days | Dimensions: 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5mm | Weight: 46.5 g | Water resistance: 5 ATM+IP68 | LTE cellular option: Yes
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the ultimate health companion when it comes to Android smartwatches. With improved sensors from its predecessor, this smartwatch can better track your sleep, body composition, and tough workouts. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is rather large, but is encased in lightweight titanium, which I found to feel great and not too heavy on my wrist.
From night to day, this watch has features for analyzing your health around the clock. Advanced Sleep Coaching provides a sleep score based on how long and deep your sleep was, as well as insight into how many calories you burned in your sleep. But the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro truly excels in tracking your workouts and analyzing your body composition via an improved, curved sensor for greater accuracy.
This Pro model is a bit more rugged than the base model, as users can import GPX files for hiking and biking. With a 590mAh battery, you will get all-day power for crushing your workout after a long day in the office. Additionally, when you sync your watch with your Galaxy devices you can access your phone notifications from your wrist.
As I wrote in my review, "the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is easily the best wearable for Android smartphone owners and it excels in all of the smartwatch categories."
Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best wearable for Android fans
- Brighter, bigger display
- Rotating bezel is unique to Samsung
- Upgraded One UI 5 software update
- Large display is likely to consumer more battery power
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic specs: Display: 1.5-inch 480x480 Super AMOLED (47mm) and 1.3-inch 432x432 (43mm) | Battery life: Up to 40 hours | Dimensions: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm (47mm) 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mm (43mm) | Weight: 59g (47mm) and 52g (43mm)| Water/Dust resistance: 5ATM/IP68/MIL-STD-810H | LTE cellular option: Yes
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 Classic includes the One UI 5 software update, which promotes a deeper focus on sleep tracking, fitness, and safety features. The 6 Classic also offers the biggest Samsung Watch display (1.5 Super AMOLED) and opts for a unique rotating bezel, which ZDNET reviews editor June Wan wrote "makes using the Watch 6 Classic an absolute joy," offering more precision when setting timers and moving through settings.
Outside of the display, one of its best features is its long battery life: Wan tested the watch for a few weeks, and was able to get about two and a half days of battery per charge, even when wearing the watch overnight.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic v. Watch 5 Pro: Which smartwatch is best for you?
Another nice feature: If you switch phones, you won't need to fully reset the watch, and can keep your chosen settings, panel orders, and complications. And the sleep-friendly settings in One UI 5 make the watch less distracting at night, including by switching from the bright green LED that typically blinks underneath the watch when it's measuring your body to a less aggressive infrared sensor.
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic starts at $399 for the 43mm option and $429 for Galaxy's largest-sized wearable to date -- 47mm.
Review: 3 surprising features that sold me on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
- Fitbit integration
- Advanced safety features
- Small size, extreme comfort
- Improved battery life
- Limited customization of exercise details
- Still only one size
Google Pixel Watch 2 tech specs: Display: 320ppi AMOLED | Battery life: 24 hours with AOD | Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 12.3mm | Weight: 31 g (without band) | Water/Dust resistance: 5 ATM | LTE cellular option: Yes
Google's second generation Pixel Watch 2 improves in one key area with longer battery life than the original Pixel Watch. This is achieved through a slightly larger capacity battery, but even more of this improvement is due to the modern Qualcomm processor found at the core of the watch. This watch integrates several Fitbit features, including improved heart rate sensors and GPS tracking, making it secretly the best watch available for both Fitbit and Google Pixel fans, as I note in my review.
One of the best functions of the Pixel Watch 2 that even beats out the Apple Watch is the focus on safety. While the Apple Watch can appear in your Find My application, and you can share your location with family and friends, that's a passive setting that requires people to physically check the app to find you. The Pixel 2's Safety Check feature allows you to set a check-in timer whenever you're moving from point A to B and want your emergency contacts to be notified if anything goes wrong -- the most reliable feature I've seen on any wearable I've tested. It also supports immediate emergency alerts/SOS and fall detection alerts, similar to the latest Apple Watches.
Review: Google Pixel Watch 2 review: In one key area, it surpasses every other smartwatch
Bottom line: If you're a Fitbit fan and are looking for the latest and greatest Fitbit in a watch form factor, then the Google Pixel Watch 2 is the wearable for you.
- Elegant hardware design
- Latest WearOS software and features
- Up to 100 hours of battery life
- Affordable price
- No LTE version
- Only one size
- Lacking some wellness features
OnePlus Watch 2 specs: Display: 1.43 inches, 466 x 466 pixels AMOLED | Battery life: Up to 5 days | Dimensions: 50.1 x 48 x 12.2mm | Weight: 44 g (no strap) | Water resistance: 5 ATM | LTE cellular option: No
You would think that the best smartwatch to support Google's WearOS would be the Pixel Watch, but that award may be more fitting with OnePlus Watch 2. After releasing a terrible smartwatch a couple of years ago, OnePlus hit it out of the park with its new Watch 2 model that is available now for just $250 after the $50 trade in offer for any watch you send the company.
In addition to a powerful operating system strategy, OnePlus hit it out of the park with one of the most elegant smartwatches available today. It incorporates stainless steel in the watch body, a 2.5D smooth sapphire crystal watch face, and a durable silicone watch band. The right side buttons are stylishly incorporated into the bezel with a round button on top and an oval one on the bottom.
Review: OnePlus Watch 2: From zero to hero and with room to improve
OnePlus states the watch will last for 100 hours in Smart Mode, 48 hours with heavy usage, and up to 12 days in power saver mode. It has a 500 mAh battery and in my two weeks of testing I was able to wear it 24/7 and charge it up every 3-4 days. I wore it for running and walking with GPS tracking turned on, indoor rowing for active heart rate tracking, and more.
- Titanium case materials
- iOS and Android support
- Smooth sapphire glass display
- Ball markers included
- No speaker for hands-free calling
- No SpO2 sensor
- Powered by older version of Wear OS
Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf Edition specs: Display: 1.39 inches, 454 x 454 pixels AMOLED | Battery Life: 24 hours | Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 15.3mm | Weight: 96 g | Water resistance: 50m | LTE cellular option: No
People spend thousands on luxury watches and Tag Heuer is a well-known brand for those who enjoy high-end watches. The Tag Heuer Calibre E4 provides an enhanced experience on more than 41,000 courses around the world and looks great in the office too.
The titanium case material has a matte, sandblasted DLC finish that looks expensive and feels smooth. Sapphire glass covers the brilliant 1.39-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454x454 pixels. It's a lovely touchscreen that transitions, flat, out to the Golf Edition bezel, where we find numbers representing 18 holes, though starting at 4 since the words Golf Edition cover where 1 through 3 would be found. White numerals and green marks accent the black bezel.
Also: Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf Edition review
While golf is clearly the focus of having this watch on your wrist, it also can be used for tracking your running with GPS, rowing on a Hydrow, hiking in the mountains, sleeping, working, and more. The one concern with a luxury model is that the technology moves fast so the hardware is likely to last far longer than the operating system and sensors inside the watch.
What is the best Android smartwatch?
When it comes to choosing which Android smartwatch is the best, you'll realize right away that the options are limited. Samsung leads the way in developing smartwatches that rival the Apple Watch, but you sometimes pay a premium for powerful smartwatches.
This table compares the top models based on price, screen size, and battery life, which can all dramatically impact your experience.
table
Best Android smartwatch | Starting price | Screen size | Battery life | Water resistance | LTE support |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | $420 | 1.2 inches | 2 days | 5 ATM | Yes |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | $400 | 1.7 inches (43mm) and 1.85 inches (47mm) | 40 hours | 5 ATM | Yes |
Google Pixel Watch 2 | $350 | 1.2 inches | 24 hours | 5 ATM | Yes |
OnePlus Watch 2 | $300 | 1.43 inches | 5 days | 5 ATM | No |
Fossil Gen 6 | $319 | 1.28 inches | 24 hours | 3 ATM | No |
Tag Heuer Calibre E4 | $2,500 | 1.39 inches | 24 hours | 50m | No |
Which is the right Android smartwatch for you?
Every Android smartwatch in this list includes different features, designs, and best-use cases. That being said, there's a smartwatch for everyone. If you want the best overall Android smartwatch, go with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, or opt for Samsung's newest addition -- the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. But if you want a powerful smartwatch on a budget, the Fitbit Versa 4 could make the perfect choice.
Before you purchase the newest accessory for your wrist, consider our recommendations based on priorities.
Choose this Android smartwatch… | If you want… |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | The best overall Android smartwatch, equipped with two days of battery life. It also has improved sensors, as well as sleep and health tracking. |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | Samsung's newest Galaxy watch series with upgraded sleep tracking and health insights, a bigger and brighter display that works seamlessly with a rotating bezel. |
Google Pixel Watch 2 | One of the smaller smartwatches on the market that integrates both Google and Fitbit's comprehensive ecosystems. With a beautiful display encased in a Corning Gorilla Glass screen, the watch is both aesthetic and durable. |
OnePlus Watch 2 | A smartwatch with the latest WearOS features, an elegant design, and battery endurance to match. Thanks to a dual processor architecture and OnePlus battery magic, the Watch 2 can last up to five days per charge. |
Tag Heuer Calibre E4 | A luxury smartwatch focused on helping you improve your golf game. It's a lovely wearable, but is now running an older version of Google's Wear OS. |
Factors to consider when choosing an Android smartwatch
If you're interested in buying an Android smartwatch, you should consider the following factors:
- Display: While all of our picks have comprehensive app compatibility, most smartwatch interaction happens directly on the watch interface. We factored in each watch's screen size, resolution, and display type so that you're assured to have a navigable smartwatch experience.
- Battery life: Don't get left behind on telling time or tracking your activities. Longer battery life is essential for a reliable smartwatch.
- Durability: As most smartwatches are activity and health trackers, you'll probably want something that can withstand the outdoors, water, or inevitable drops and dings.
- Health suite: Smartwatches track more than just time, but can monitor your activity and overall health. We selected watches that encompass effective health-tracking sensors and can serve as a health-monitoring tool.
How we test Android smartwatches
All of the Android smartwatches included in this list were chosen based on how they performed when tested in the real world by the ZDNET team. When we test smartwatches, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best. We test for:
- Daily wear: We wear the smartwatch as our primary watch with communications, applications, and other elements being tested as if it was our only smartwatch.
- Application selection and performance: One aspect that makes smartwatches different than standard watches is the support for applications. We load up the watch with apps and then test the performance and functionality of those applications. Google's Play Store continues to increase the number of applications and quality of those applications so it can serve as a faithful companion to your Android smartphone.
- Workouts: Smartwatch makers have embraced health and fitness so we take our smartwatch out for running with GPS, rowing on the Hydrow, biking on trails, and walking with the family. GPS and heart rate data is tracked and then we evaluate the accuracy against proven GPS sports watches.
- Sleep and activity tracking: Sleep tracking has improved with Android smartwatches over time and we evaluate them as compared to smart rings and other watches.
Can you use a Samsung smartwatch with a non-Samsung phone?
You can use a Samsung Galaxy watch with a non-Galaxy Android smartphone. You will need to install a couple of Samsung companion applications on your smartphone, including Galaxy Wearable and Watch plug-in. The Galaxy Wearable app is used to manage the connection, settings, and apps on the watch. Samsung Health also provides you with richer health data.
However, Samsung Galaxy watches are optimized for Samsung phones, including support for Samsung Pay and the Samsung ecosystem.
Do any of these watches have cellular support to function without a phone?
Samsung and Google do. An additional service plan is required for cellular connectivity directly on the watch. Unlike the Apple Watch, your Android phone is not required to be on for the service to work.
While the watch can act as a standalone mobile device, a phone is required to set up the watch for cellular connectivity. A world where your entire watch lives on your phone is not yet an option, but technology is advancing -- we'll get there someday.
What are the hot new features in the latest smartwatches?
The most innovations in the last couple of years have been in health and fitness tracking. While smartwatches are not medical devices, they have sensors, algorithms, and applications to help you track trends in your heart rate, stress level, blood oxygen levels, and more. You can use it as a basic ECG to check if further investigation is needed.
All of these smartwatches can also serve as capable GPS sports watches to track the details of your outdoor activities. Exercise guidance is provided on the watch with connected health applications on your smartphone so you can keep track of your progress, too.
Why should I buy a smartwatch?
Each person has a unique reason as to why they want to purchase a smartwatch. Most people are interested in the health-tracking features that a smartwatch can offer. Health tracking, coupled with calling, texting, and all of the capabilities found on a smartphone, typically encourage people to pull the trigger.
Are there other Android smartwatches worth considering?
We chose the best Android smartwatches for a variety of price points and preferences. That said, these Android smartwatches are also worth considering: